RWBY: The Girl Who Fell - Rewritten

Ruby Rose zipped between towering trees, her cape billowing dramatically behind her as she scanned left and right through the Emerald Forest.

"Yang? Yaaang! Come on, where are you?" she called out, then muttered to herself, "Please don't let me get stuck with Weiss. I mean, she's probably super skilled and everything, but she'd probably lecture me about 'proper scythe maintenance' or something equally horrifying."

She paused mid-stride, cocking her head. "Although... Jaune seems nice enough. But can he actually fight? I mean, he threw up on the airship. Twice. That's not exactly confidence-inspiring for a partner who's supposed to watch my back against Grimm."

The telltale growls and snarls of nearby Grimm cut through her internal monologue. Ruby's eyes lit up like silver stars.

"Ooh, Grimm! And where there's action..." She grinned and adjusted Crescent Rose on her back. "Yang's probably in the middle of it, punching everything that moves!"

Following the sounds of combat, Ruby burst into a clearing just in time to see a pack of Beowolves circling something—or someone—they couldn't quite reach. The black, bone-armored wolf Grimm prowled in frustrated circles, snapping their jaws at empty air.

"Weird. What are they—"

One Beowolf caught her scent and spun around, red eyes locking onto her with predatory hunger. Ruby's grin widened.

"Oh, you guys look fun! And under-armored. This should be easy."

She transformed Crescent Rose into its full scythe form with a satisfying mechanical whir. "Let's dance!"

The first Beowolf lunged. Ruby vanished in a burst of rose petals, reappearing behind it mid-swing. Her scythe's blade whistled through the air, and the Grimm's head went flying.

"One!" she announced cheerfully, using her weapon's recoil to spin into her next target. "Two! Three! Ooh, this one's got some armor—four!"

But as she fought, more Beowolves emerged from the treeline. A lot more.

"Okay, maybe not so easy," Ruby panted, glancing around at the growing pack. "Mental note: overconfidence leads to being surrounded by angry wolf monsters."

She fired another shot, the recoil boosting her into the air for a devastating downward slash. But when she landed, she realized her mistake—the distinctive click of an empty chamber.

"Oh no. No no no no." Ruby checked her ammo pouch. Empty. "I was so excited to fight, I forgot to count shots! Uncle Qrow is never going to let me live this down. If I live to be lectured, that is."

The Beowolves closed in, sensing her moment of vulnerability. Ruby's mind raced. Without ammo, she couldn't use Crescent Rose's recoil to fuel her speed semblance effectively. She'd burn through her aura way too fast.

"Okay Ruby, think. What would Yang do? Probably punch them. What would Blake do? Probably something cool and mysterious. What would Weiss do? Lecture them to death about proper pack hunting techniques?"

The lead Beowolf crouched, ready to pounce. Ruby raised her scythe defensively.

"Well, when in doubt, run away and live to fight another day!"

But just as she prepared to bolt, the air itself seemed to pulse. A strange, golden light rippled through the clearing, making every Grimm freeze mid-snarl. Even Ruby felt her breath catch.

"Okay, that's definitely not normal..."

A shimmering golden archway materialized from nothing, crackling with otherworldly energy. Ruby stumbled backward, eyes wide.

"Is that a portal? That's totally a portal! Are portals supposed to just appear in forests? Because I'm pretty sure they don't cover this in Combat School!"

A figure stumbled through—a girl about Ruby's age with dark brown skin and long, wavy hair. She wore a baby blue shirt and navy dress with golden trim, complete with a distinctive headband that looked like rabbit ears. But what caught Ruby's attention wasn't her outfit.

It was the nasty gash bleeding through her colorful sash.

"Oh my gosh!" Ruby's training kicked in instantly. The mystery girl collapsed, clutching her side, and Ruby didn't hesitate. She used her stored aura to boost her speed, scooping the injured girl up bridal-style and rocketing away from the confused Beowolves.

"Don't worry! I've got you! Though I have no idea who you are or how you just appeared through a magical portal, but we can figure that out after we're not being chased by angry wolf monsters!"

---

Meanwhile, high above in Beacon's tower, Professor Ozpin watched the scene unfold through his omnipresent viewing devices, his coffee cup frozen halfway to his lips.

"Glynda," he said quietly, his usual calm cracking just slightly.

"Yes, Professor?" Glynda Goodwitch adjusted her glasses, noting his sudden tension. "The students are performing adequately in their initiation. Miss Rose just aided an unknown individual who appears to be injured."

"Describe the unknown individual. Every detail."

Glynda raised an eyebrow but complied, giving a precise description of the girl in blue. As she spoke, Ozpin's grip tightened on his cane.

"Dark hair, blue dress, golden trim... and she came through a portal?"

"A golden archway, yes. Most unusual. Should I dispatch a team to investigate this anomaly?"

Ozpin stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. For the first time in years, Glynda saw something that might have been fear flicker across his features.

"She's returned," he whispered. "After all this time... why now?"

"Professor?"

"Send a team immediately. Not to investigate—to extract. Miss Rose and our unexpected visitor must be brought to safety at once. And Glynda?" His eyes hardened with ancient resolve. "Alert the inner circle. If Alyx has returned, then the situation may be far worse than we imagined."

---

Deep in the forest, Ruby finally slowed down, both girls tumbling onto a fallen log in a relatively clear area. Ruby gasped for breath while her passenger pressed her sash tighter against her wound.

"Okay," Ruby panted, "emergency medical training time. Are you conscious? Can you tell me your name? Do you know what year it is? Are you allergic to anything?"

The girl blinked up at her with bronze eyes, managing a weak smile despite her obvious pain. "I'm... I'm conscious. My name's Alyx. And I have no idea what year it is here."

"Here? What do you mean here?" Ruby cocked her head like a curious puppy. "Also, that's a really pretty name. Very fairy tale-ish. Anyway, more importantly—do you know about aura?"

"I've heard of it. Met someone who offered to unlock mine, but..." Alyx's expression darkened. "I didn't trust him. Can it really heal injuries?"

"Oh yeah! Aura's amazing! It's like having a force field made of your soul. Watch this!" Ruby held up her hand, concentrating until it glowed with soft red light. "See? Though unlocking someone else's aura is pretty serious. My uncle told me it's like... sharing a piece of your soul with someone."

Alyx struggled to sit up straighter. "If it can help me get to Ozpin faster, then please. I don't have time to bleed out in a forest."

"Ozpin? You know Professor Ozpin?" Ruby's eyes widened. "Are you here for Beacon? Because I hate to break it to you, but the entrance exam is kind of happening right now, and it involves not dying in this forest."

"It's complicated. But yes, I need to reach him urgently."

Ruby studied Alyx's face, noting the genuine desperation there. Her hero instincts kicked into overdrive.

"Okay, one aura unlock coming up! Fair warning though—Uncle Qrow told me the ceremony can be a little intense. Something about 'the philosophical weight of existence' or whatever. I just thought it was pretty light show, personally."

She placed one hand on Alyx's cheek and the other over her heart, closing her eyes in concentration.

"For it is in freedom we find identity. Through our travels we achieve a perspective on all reality. Unlimited in wisdom and uncaged by tyranny, I release your soul, and by my hand, enlighten thee."

Red light blazed from Ruby's hands, flowing into Alyx like liquid fire. But instead of the usual gentle glow of a new aura awakening, something extraordinary happened. Blue light erupted from Alyx—not the soft shimmer of newly unlocked aura, but a brilliant, almost blinding radiance that seemed to contain depths of power Ruby had never seen before.

The two colors danced together, red and blue intertwining in patterns that seemed almost alive. For just a moment, Ruby could have sworn she heard distant voices, like echoes from another world entirely.

Then it faded, leaving both girls gasping.

"Whoa," Ruby breathed, staring at her hands. "That was... that definitely wasn't normal. I mean, when Yang got her aura unlocked, there were just some yellow sparkles and she complained about feeling tingly. This was like... like..."

"Like I've been carrying this power for a long time and just needed someone to remind me how to use it," Alyx finished softly, flexing her fingers and watching blue light dance between them.

Ruby looked down at the wound. It was completely healed, not even a scar remaining. "Okay, that's definitely not normal either. New aura shouldn't be that strong."

"Ruby..." Alyx's voice was gentle but serious. "Thank you. For everything. But I think there are things about me that might be dangerous for you to know."

"Dangerous?" Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement rather than fear. "Are you like, a secret agent? Or maybe you're from another kingdom with classified super-soldier aura techniques? Ooh! Are you a time traveler?"

Despite everything, Alyx laughed—a genuine, delighted sound. "You know what? You're exactly like he said you'd be."

"He? Who's he? And what did he say about me? Was it good things? Please tell me it was good things and not 'that Rose girl who broke the training equipment again.'"

"Nothing bad, I promise. Just... that you're someone who'd risk everything to help a stranger." Alyx stood up, testing her newly healed body. "Come on. If we're going back to Beacon, we should probably find some of those relics Professor Ozpin mentioned in his initiation speech."

"Wait, you heard his speech? But you came through a portal after we were already in the forest!"

"I told you it was complicated."

Ruby pouted. "Everyone always says that when things get interesting. Fine, but I'm lending you a weapon because this forest is full of Grimm, and while your aura is apparently amazingly powerful, you need something sharp and pointy to go with it."

She pulled a switchblade from her utility pouch. "It's not much, but it's better than nothing. Fair warning though—if we run into any big Grimm, just follow my lead and try not to do anything too mysterious until I can figure out what's going on with you."

"Deal. Lead the way, Ruby Rose."

As they set off deeper into the forest, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just stepped into one of the fairy tales Yang used to read to her. And if that was true, she really hoped this was one of the stories with a happy ending.

---

They'd been walking for about twenty minutes when Ruby spotted the cave.

"Ooh, mysterious cave! Bet that's where they hid the relics. I mean, if I were hiding important artifacts, I'd totally put them in a spooky cave. It's like, rule number one of dramatic treasure placement."

"Are you always this enthusiastic about potentially dangerous situations?" Alyx asked, but she was smiling.

"Yang says it's my most endearing and terrifying quality. Come on!" Ruby pulled out a piece of Fire Dust from her pouch. "One makeshift torch, coming up!"

The cave was deeper than expected, winding down into the earth with an almost unnatural warmth emanating from its depths. Their improvised torch cast dancing shadows on the walls as they descended.

"Hey Ruby! Is that you?"

Ruby perked up at the familiar voice. "Jaune! Pyrrha! What are you guys doing down here?"

They rounded a corner to find Jaune Arc, looking slightly less green than usual, standing next to the legendary Pyrrha Nikos. Ruby noticed how Alyx tensed at the sight of Jaune, though she seemed fine with Pyrrha.

"Looking for relics, same as you probably," Jaune said cheerfully. "Though I gotta say, this cave is way creepier than I expected. And warm. Why is it so warm?"

"Geothermal activity, most likely," Pyrrha offered. "The natural hot springs in this area suggest underground thermal vents." She looked at Alyx with polite curiosity. "I don't believe we've been introduced. I'm Pyrrha Nikos."

"Alyx. Nice to meet you." But Alyx's attention remained warily fixed on Jaune.

"Everything okay?" Ruby whispered.

"Just... unexpected to see him here," Alyx murmured back.

Before Ruby could ask what that meant, Jaune called out from deeper in the cave. "Hey guys! I think I found something! It's all shiny and... OH DUST NO!"

The ground trembled. Then it shook. Then it exploded upward as something massive burst through the cave floor, sending all four students scrambling toward the entrance.

A Deathstalker—ancient, enormous, and very, very angry—emerged from what had apparently been its underground lair. Its golden stinger gleamed wickedly in their torchlight, and somehow, Jaune was clinging to it, screaming at the top of his lungs.

"HELP! WHY IS IT SO BIG? WHY ARE GRIMM ALLOWED TO BE THIS BIG?"

"Jaune!" Pyrrha immediately raised her shield and spear, but the confined space of the cave made maneuvering difficult.

"Ruby!" Alyx grabbed her arm. "I can't fight something like that with a switchblade!"

Ruby's mind raced. The Deathstalker was too big for the cave—they needed to get it outside where they had room to maneuver. And Jaune was in immediate danger.

"Okay, new plan!" Ruby shouted over the Deathstalker's angry chittering. "Pyrrha, can you hit its stinger joint with your spear? If we can make it let go of Jaune—"

"I can try, but the angle's all wrong!"

That's when Alyx did something impossible.

For just a split second—barely long enough for Ruby to register it—Alyx's eyes flashed with otherworldly knowledge. She moved with perfect precision, snatching the switchblade from her belt and hurling it with inhuman accuracy. The small blade struck the exact pressure point on the Deathstalker's stinger joint, and the massive claw went limp.

Jaune dropped into Pyrrha's waiting arms just as the Deathstalker, now free to move properly, smashed its way out of the cave and into the forest clearing above.

"How did you—" Ruby started.

"Lucky throw," Alyx said quickly, but Ruby caught the flash of ancient sadness in her bronze eyes before she looked away.

The Deathstalker reared up to its full, terrifying height in the clearing, easily fifteen feet tall with claws the size of surfboards. This was no young Grimm—this was old, experienced, and absolutely furious about being woken up.

"Okay," Ruby said, transforming Crescent Rose and loading her last few rounds of ammunition. "Remember when I said follow my lead? I'm updating that plan. New plan is: don't die."

"Very inspiring," Pyrrha commented dryly, readying her own weapons.

"I try. Jaune, you okay to fight?"

"Define okay!" Jaune called back, but he drew Crocea Mors with only minimal trembling. "Also, why is it looking at me like that?"

"Probably because you woke it up by grabbing its stinger," Alyx pointed out. "Grimm hold grudges."

The Deathstalker charged.

What followed was a frantic, chaotic battle that showcased exactly why Beacon Academy was so selective about its students. Ruby danced around the massive claws, using her speed and scythe's reach to strike at joints and weak points. Pyrrha worked in perfect coordination with Jaune, her shield covering his attacks while her spear found gaps in the creature's armor.

But it was Alyx who turned the tide.

As the Deathstalker reared up for a killing blow aimed at Ruby, Alyx moved. Not with the desperate fumbling of a civilian, but with fluid grace that spoke of experience far beyond her apparent age. She leaped onto the creature's head, somersaulted over its snapping mandibles, and drove her recovered switchblade deep into the joint connecting the stinger to the tail.

The Deathstalker shrieked and thrashed, but Alyx held on, twisting the blade with surgical precision. When the stinger came loose, she caught it in midair and, in one fluid motion, drove it down through the creature's skull with strength that should have been impossible for someone her size.

The ancient Grimm collapsed with a sound like a falling tree.

In the sudden silence, all three Beacon students stared at Alyx, who stood atop the Deathstalker's corpse looking perfectly composed despite having just single-handedly killed a Grimm that should have required a full team of experienced Huntsmen.

"Okay," Ruby said slowly. "That was definitely not a lucky throw."

Before Alyx could respond, the sound of slow clapping echoed through the clearing. Four figures stepped out from the treeline—older students, by their confident bearing and advanced weapons.

"Well now," said a fashionable girl in a beret, her eyes bright with interest. "That was quite the show."

Team CFVY had arrived.

The fashionable girl stepped forward with a confident stride, her teammates flanking her. Ruby recognized them from around Beacon—second years who had already made quite a reputation for themselves.

"I'm Coco Adel, team leader of CFVY," the girl in the beret announced. "And you just put on quite the demonstration there, mystery girl."

Alyx shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, but Ruby stepped protectively in front of her. "She's hurt and needs to get to Professor Ozpin. We were just trying to survive."

"Relax, Red," Coco said with an amused smile. "We're here on official business. Professor Ozpin sent us to collect you and your... unique friend here." She gestured to Alyx with obvious curiosity. "Though I have to say, that combat display was impressive. Where'd you learn to move like that?"

"I... picked things up here and there," Alyx said quietly.

Velvet, the rabbit Faunus, stepped forward with a kind smile. "Don't worry, we're not here to interrogate you. Professor Ozpin just wants to make sure you're safe." She looked at the dead Deathstalker with wide eyes. "Though I have to admit, I've never seen anyone take down an ancient Grimm like that barehanded."

"She had a knife," Ruby protested weakly, but even she knew how inadequate that sounded.

Fox, the scarred team member, tilted his head thoughtfully. "Interesting fighting style. Very... experienced. Not something you usually see in civilians."

"Can we please just go?" Alyx asked, her discomfort growing more obvious by the second. "I really do need to speak with Professor Ozpin urgently."

Yatsuhashi simply nodded toward a Bullhead aircraft that was landing nearby, its rotors whipping up dust and leaves.

---

The flight back to Beacon was awkward for multiple reasons. Jaune immediately turned green and clutched the railing, groaning softly. Alyx, who had never been in an aircraft before, gripped her seat with white knuckles and kept shooting panicked glances out the windows.

"First time flying?" Velvet asked gently, taking the seat next to Alyx.

"Is it that obvious?" Alyx managed through gritted teeth.

"The whole 'death grip on the armrests' thing kind of gave it away," Ruby said, trying to lighten the mood. "But don't worry! These things are super safe. They're powered by Dust crystals, and the gravity stabilizers mean we won't fall out of the sky or anything."

"That's... not as reassuring as you think it is," Alyx replied, but she did seem to relax slightly.

Pyrrha was rubbing Jaune's back consolingly. "Just focus on breathing, Jaune. We'll be there soon."

"Why... do... they make... these things... so bouncy?" Jaune groaned between words.

"They don't bounce that much," Ruby said cheerfully. "You're just really sensitive to motion. Yang used to get airsick too, but then she started doing loop-de-loops on her motorcycle and now she's fine with everything."

Coco leaned back in her seat, studying Alyx with professional interest. "So, mystery girl, want to share where you learned those combat skills? Because that wasn't beginner's luck back there."

Alyx met her gaze steadily. "I've had to defend myself before."

"Against Grimm like that?"

"Against worse."

The simple statement hung in the air, carrying weight that made even the confident upperclassmen pause. Ruby felt a chill that had nothing to do with the altitude.

"Worse than a Deathstalker?" she asked quietly.

Alyx's bronze eyes grew distant. "You'd be surprised what's out there beyond the kingdoms, Ruby. Things that make Grimm look like training dummies."

Fox tilted his head again. "You speak like someone who's seen the deep wilderness. But you're too young to be a Huntress."

"Age doesn't always matter when survival is on the line," Alyx replied cryptically.

Before anyone could press further, the Bullhead touched down on Beacon's landing platform. Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch were waiting, flanked by several other faculty members Ruby didn't recognize.

---

As they disembarked, Ruby noticed how Ozpin's eyes immediately locked onto Alyx with an intensity she'd never seen from the usually calm headmaster. There was recognition there, and something that might have been fear.

"Miss Rose," Ozpin said, his voice carefully controlled. "I understand you assisted our unexpected visitor during the initiation. That was very noble of you."

"Just doing what any Huntress would do," Ruby said, but she moved protectively closer to Alyx. Something about the adults' expressions was making her nervous.

"Indeed." Ozpin's gaze shifted to Alyx. "And you, young lady. I believe we have much to discuss."

Alyx straightened her shoulders, meeting his stare with surprising composure. "Professor Ozpin. The Progenitor sent me. She said the Brothers' return is imminent and inevitable."

The effect was immediate and dramatic. Professor Goodwitch's hand snapped to her riding crop, her face going pale. Several faculty members stepped back, and Ruby could have sworn she heard someone whisper a curse under their breath.

But it was Ozpin's reaction that was most telling. For just a moment, his carefully maintained composure cracked completely. His coffee mug slipped from his fingers, shattering on the platform, and Ruby saw something ancient and terrible flicker across his features.

"The Brothers," he whispered, and Ruby had never heard such weight in two simple words.

"Um," Ruby said, looking back and forth between them. "What Brothers? Should I know about some Brothers? Because you're all acting like she just announced the end of the world or something."

"Ruby," Alyx said softly, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "I need you to promise me something."

"What kind of promise?"

"Promise me you'll look after Jaune and Pyrrha. Whatever happens."

Ruby felt a chill of premonition. "What do you mean, whatever happens? Alyx, you're scaring me."

"Just promise me, Ruby. Please."

Looking into those bronze eyes, Ruby saw a depth of sadness and knowledge that no one their age should carry. Whatever Alyx had been through, wherever she'd come from, Ruby could tell that her new friend was genuinely afraid—not for herself, but for others.

"I promise," Ruby said quietly. "But Alyx, you're not going anywhere, right? I mean, we just became partners. Sort of. And I still don't understand half of what just happened, but—"

"Thank you." Alyx's smile was gentle but heartbreaking. "You saved my life back there, Ruby Rose. I won't forget that."

Professor Ozpin cleared his throat, his composure mostly restored though Ruby noticed his hands were still shaking slightly. "Miss Alyx, if you would join me in my office? We have much to discuss about your... message."

"As you wish," Alyx replied, but she didn't sound happy about it.

As the adults began to move toward the school, Ruby called out, "Wait! What about the initiation? And teams? And—"

"The initiation will be completed at a later time, Miss Rose," Professor Goodwitch said briskly. "Given the circumstances, adjustments will need to be made."

Ruby watched helplessly as Alyx was escorted away, surrounded by grim-faced faculty members. She had the terrible feeling that she was watching her new friend walk toward something dangerous, and there was nothing she could do to help.

"Hey," Jaune said, finally looking less green now that he was on solid ground again. "Is it just me, or did that get really intense really fast?"

"It's not just you," Pyrrha agreed, her champion's instincts clearly picking up on the same undercurrents Ruby had felt. "There's definitely more to this than we understand."

Ruby stared at the doors of Beacon Academy, where Alyx had disappeared with the professors. The girl had appeared through a golden portal, demonstrated impossible combat skills, and now she was talking about mysterious Brothers and the end of the world.

"Yang always said I had a talent for finding trouble," Ruby murmured. "But I think this time, trouble found me."

As if summoned by her thoughts, a familiar voice called out across the platform.

"Ruby! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Ruby turned to see Yang Xiao Long jogging toward them, her golden hair gleaming in the afternoon sun and a huge grin on her face. Behind her came Blake Belladonna, looking as aloof as ever, and Weiss Schnee, who appeared to be in the middle of lecturing Yang about something.

"Yang!" Ruby's worry temporarily forgotten, she launched herself at her sister. "Did you find a partner? How did your initiation go? Did you see any cool Grimm?"

"Whoa there, sis," Yang laughed, catching Ruby in a hug. "One question at a time. And what about you? I heard from some of the other students that you were seen carrying some mysterious girl through the forest. Very heroic of you."

Ruby glanced back at the academy doors. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how?" Blake asked, her keen eyes missing nothing.

"Well," Ruby said, trying to figure out where to even start. "She kind of appeared through a golden portal, may or may not be from a fairy tale, has mysterious combat skills that let her single-handedly kill ancient Grimm, and she just told Professor Ozpin that something called 'the Brothers' are coming back and it's going to be bad."

The three older students stared at her.

"Ruby," Weiss said slowly, "are you feeling alright? Because that sounds—"

"Completely insane?" Ruby finished. "Yeah, I know. But I saw it all happen. And judging by how Professor Ozpin reacted, it's all true."

Yang's expression grew serious. "Ruby, what exactly have you gotten yourself mixed up in?"

Before Ruby could answer, the doors to Beacon Academy opened again. But instead of the faculty members who had escorted Alyx inside, a single figure emerged—Professor Ozpin himself, looking older and more tired than Ruby had ever seen him.

He walked directly to their group, his usual casual demeanor replaced by something far more grave.

"Miss Rose," he said quietly. "I'm afraid I have some questions for you as well. About your encounter with Miss Alyx, and about certain... abilities you may have displayed during your time together."

Ruby felt her stomach drop. "Abilities? I just used my semblance and unlocked her aura. That's normal stuff."

"I'm afraid nothing about today has been normal, Miss Rose." Ozpin's eyes were ancient and sad. "And I fear that normal is something we may not see again for quite some time."

As the sun began to set over Beacon Academy, casting long shadows across the platform, Ruby realized that her simple initiation had somehow become the beginning of something much larger and more dangerous than she could have imagined.

And somewhere in the depths of the school, Alyx sat in a chair across from the headmaster's desk, preparing to deliver news that would change everything.